The Pawn

by Aston, Alexa

As if he betrayed Katelyn by bringing Catherine to Northmere.

  *

  Katelyn decided to keep to her chair in the corner of the solar as a flurry of activity ensued. First, four male and three female servants arrived. All seven entered the solar. Minutes later, the men came out, bearing the earl’s body, wrapped in linen. The women appeared soon after, carrying the bedclothes away. Katelyn was glad she would not have to sleep on them tonight, knowing Lord Cedric had died while lying in them.

  New servants arrived with fresh bedclothes. Others came and carted away the dead nobleman’s clothing, their arms piled high with clothing and boots. A few soldiers had been dispatched and took his armor and weapons. She wondered where all of these items would go. She guessed the trunks were left behind so that Nicholas would have a place to store his possessions.

  Lady Ellyn had supervised the proceedings. As things calmed down, she brought two women to Katelyn. She recognized them from helping her yesterday before her wedding to Lord Cedric.

  “This is Dorinda, my lady. She helped dressed your hair yesterday and will perform personal tasks for you, as well as help keep the manor house clean.”

  Katelyn smiled at the dark-haired woman, who looked to be a score and ten, and then Ellyn indicated the second servant, slightly built and with light brown hair. “Lucy will also help with the cleaning and is a good cook. They will make your stay go smoothly.”

  “Thank you. Would you be able to pack my things?” Katelyn asked. “Please leave out a nightdress for sleep tonight and something appropriate for me to wear to Lord Cedric’s funeral mass tomorrow.”

  “We will take care of it, my lady,” Dorinda said. “Both Lucy and I are pleased to accompany you during your mourning period.”

  Katelyn bit her tongue to keep from laughing. Grieving was the last thing on her mind. Moving to the manor house meant freedom to her. She would indulge in long walks. Sit under a tree and soak up the sunshine. Sing. Laugh. Eat. Sleep. This respite from the castle meant everything to her.

  “I appreciate you coming to stay with me,” Katelyn said solemnly.

  “We’ll start filling your trunks now, my lady,” Lucy said.

  Ellyn excused herself, while the servants went into the bedchamber. Katelyn sat contentedly, breathing easily. Then something caught her eye. She looked to the door Ellyn had neglected to shut and, for a brief moment, saw a girl. Before Katelyn could speak, the girl whirled and was gone. Quickly, she rose and hurried to the hallway, where she saw the girl lingering at a doorway. Then she ducked inside a chamber. Katelyn heard the door shut.

  “You must be Bethany,” she murmured to herself, thinking she was more young woman than girl.

  Katelyn had forgotten that Bryce told her Lord Cedric had a daughter, the youngest of his three children. Why hadn’t the girl come to the wedding and feast? Brimming with curiosity, Katelyn went to the door Bethany had scampered through and knocked.

  A servant she hadn’t seen before answered, a wary look on her face.

  “May I visit with Bethany? I am Lady Katelyn Mandeville.”

  The servant looked shocked then regained her composure. Quietly, she said, “You know . . . that she’s . . . touched in the head?”

  That explained the daughter of the household’s absence from the proceedings.

  “I am eager to make her acquaintance,” Katelyn said. “Do you care for her?”

  The servant smiled. “I do. I’m Mary, my lady. Please, come in. You’ll find Lady Bethany simple but very sweet.”

  Katelyn entered the large bedchamber and saw Bethany on the floor. A doll sat beside her, while a kitten rested in her lap. Katelyn made her way to Bethany and crouched next to her.

  “I never had a doll. Or a kitten.” She gave the girl a warm smile. “I wish I’d had both. You are very lucky.”

  Bethany gazed up silently at her. The girl appeared about ten and five and had the same golden hair her two brothers possessed. Her eyes were blue, though, where both sons’ were brown.

  “No doll?”

  “No doll,” Katelyn repeated, thinking Bethany’s language must be limited. She would speak to her with fewer words than she usually used in conversation and hope that Bethany would understand. “No playthings.”

  “Ever?”

  “Ever,” she confirmed. “I had chickens.”

  “Chickens? Cluck. Cluck, cluck, cluck.”

  “They do cluck,” Katelyn encouraged. “I named my chickens.”

  Bethany giggled.

  “I named my goats, too.”

  Bethany laughed heartily. “You milk?”

  “I did milk them,” Katelyn confirmed. “I’ll show you how if you’d like.”

  The girl nodded and stroked her kitten.

  “Who is that?” she asked.

  “Kit.”

  “Greetings, Kit.” Katelyn brushed her finger against the top of the kitten’s head. Immediately, purring began.

  “Good. Soft. Be nice.”

  “I will,” Katelyn promised.

  Bethany stared at her. “Who?”

  “I am your brother’s new wife. Katelyn.”

  “Kate-lyn,” Bethany tried out.

  “Aye. Katelyn.”

  Bethany thought a moment. “Nicholas?” she asked eagerly.

  Katelyn nodded. “I did wed Nicholas.” She saw no reason to mention she had also wed their father. It might confuse the girl.

  “Nicholas nice.” Bethany frowned. “Bryce. Not nice.” Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout.

  Her words affirmed what Katelyn thought. Even this simple girl knew Bryce wasn’t what he portrayed to the world. She wondered if Bethany had been born this way or if something had caused her speech to become limited.

  “Father dead,” Bethany proclaimed.

  “Aye. Nicholas is now the earl.”

  “I . . . go solar?” Bethany asked hopefully.

  “Of course,” Katelyn reassured her. “Were you looking for your brother earlier?”

  The girl nodded. “Not go before.” She brightened. “Go now.”

  “Your brother will be happy for you to come visit him. Families gather in the solar. You are family, Bethany.” Katelyn pointed to herself and back to Bethany. “We are now family.”

  Bethany’s eyes widened. She reached out and touched Katelyn’s cotehardie. “Pretty.”

  “Would you like to wear something like this?”

  The girl beamed. “Aye! Aye! Aye!”

  “Then we’ll make that happen.”

  Katelyn remained with Bethany several hours, drawing her out as they played with Kit and the doll. Mary watched them, smiling with approval. Katelyn didn’t know how much time had passed until a servant appeared with a tray of food.

  “’Tis time for the evening meal, Lady Katelyn. This is for Lady Bethany.”

  Katelyn touched Bethany’s hair and stroked it a moment. “I must leave now. We’ll play again soon.”

  Bethany threw her arms around Katelyn and hugged her tightly. Katelyn wrapped her arms around the girl, happiness filling her. She released her and allowed Mary to assist her to her feet.

  “Does she never come to the great hall?”

  “Nay, my lady. It upsets her too much to be around so many people. We do go out and about, though. Walk around the keep and the grounds. Lady Bethany enjoys being outside, no matter what the weather.” The servant paused. “Pardon me for saying so, but you’re quite good with her, my lady. She’s taken to you.”

  “I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed myself more,” Katelyn replied. “I will be staying at the manor house for a few weeks. Could you bring her to visit me?”

  “She’d like that but it’s very far away. Too far for us to walk. If she’s to come, Lord Nicholas would need to bring her. Lady Bethany enjoys riding with him.”

  “I’ll ask the earl to bring her. Thank you, Mary.”

  Katelyn left, wishing she could do as Bethany did and eat from a tray in the solar. Still, her husband had made a point of telling her
he’d return for the evening meal. She didn’t want him to come looking for her. She knew in a great household, as Northmere was, that appearances were important.

  Making her way down the long, stone staircase, she could hear noise coming from the great hall. She entered and saw the trestle tables had been removed from the walls and benches placed next to them as people began seating themselves. Katelyn headed toward the dais, a brave smile on her face to show Lord Nicholas how confident she was in front of so many. Her smile faded as she approached.

  Nicholas sat in the center of the dais, conversing with a beautiful, blond woman seated to his right. Instinct told her who this woman was.

  Katelyn went and stood in front of the couple. “Greetings. You must be Lady Catherine. I am Katelyn Mandeville.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Katelyn watched Lady Catherine carefully and saw no guile in the noblewoman’s eyes. Instead, she beamed at Katelyn and reached out to her. Katelyn took her hand.

  “Oh, it is lovely to meet you, Lady Katelyn.” Her words seemed as genuine as the smile that lit her glowing face.

  “I, too, am pleased to meet our closest neighbor.” Katelyn squeezed Lady Catherine’s hand briefly and released it.

  Nicholas rose and helped her to the dais. Before he could seat her on his left, Lady Catherine stopped him.

  “You can’t sit between us, Nicholas. You’ll spend the entire meal leaning back so that Lady Katelyn and I can visit with one another. I’m afraid you might starve because we’ll keep you from your food.” Catherine Savill held out a hand. “Won’t you take Nicholas’ seat, my lady?”

  “Thank you.” Katelyn sat, wondering what her husband had said about her to this woman as a servant placed a trencher before them and filled it with meat and vegetables.

  “If you’re going to ignore me during the meal, I might as well eat with my men.” He inclined his head and retreated to the left side of the room, where tables filled with soldiers had begun to dine.

  “I hope you don’t mind me chasing your husband away,” Lady Catherine said in hushed tones. “He told me of your marriage and that, for now, it is not public knowledge.”

  “Lord Nicholas may do whatever he likes,” Katelyn said stiffly, wanting to warm to this friendly woman and yet holding back for some reason.

  The noblewoman studied her a moment. “You are most beautiful. I’ve never seen eyes so vivid. They are remarkable with your raven hair.” She cocked her head. “I do believe you must be very intelligent. Nicholas told me I would like you and he knows I don’t suffer fools. I hear you came from court before your marriage. You have come a long way, only to marry twice in two days.”

  Katelyn found Lady Catherine’s openness refreshing and began to relax in her presence. Catherine Savill radiated good will and amiability.

  “I was barely at court a week,” she confided. “My father lost his head in a plot against the monarchy when I was a small child. I grew up in a convent where the silence was deafening. All I wanted to do was laugh and play but the good sisters had other ideas.”

  Lady Catherine’s eyes widened. “That sounds horrible,” she said bluntly.

  “It was.” Katelyn shrugged. “I made the best of it.”

  Catherine placed a hand over Katelyn’s. “I’m sure you did. You must be resourceful and resilient. You will definitely be an asset to Nicholas and Northmere.”

  Katelyn felt their conversation could not progress until she asked about what stood between them. “Are you sorry I came to Northumberland? That you have lost Nicholas to me?”

  “I suppose that’s a fair question. I know he must have told you that he’d offered marriage to me. Nay, I’m not unhappy at all. In fact, I wish to become your friend.” Catherine looked at her hopefully. “I have four sisters and have been lonely without the company of females ever since I came to Ravenwood, since Favian’s mother passed on many years ago.”

  “Favian?”

  Catherine’s features softened, making her even more radiant. “Oh, Favian was my husband. He and Nicholas were closer than brothers. They fostered and fought together. Favian asked Nicholas to watch over me before he died. I think Nicholas offering to marry me was his way of keeping that promise to his best friend.”

  “So, you do not love Nicholas?”

  Catherine shook her head. “I love him as my friend. As I would a brother. But, he is not the one for me. No one could ever replace Favian in my heart.” She rubbed her slightly rounded belly. “Unless this one does. I have a feeling, boy or girl, that my happiness will revolve around raising Favian’s child.” She grew serious. “I am no threat to you, Lady Katelyn. As I said, I am open to friendship with you. I fervently hope you will bring happiness to Nicholas.”

  The statement surprised Katelyn. “Is he unhappy? He projects confidence and strength.”

  “Nicholas is perfect in everything he does. He is the best swordsman and rider in all of the north. He is loyal and dedicated and full of vitality.” Catherine sighed. “For some reason, though, Lord Cedric never praised or encouraged him. Never gave him a crumb of respect. Belittled him. Doubted him. The more he spoke against Nicholas, the harder Nicholas drove himself. The earl always preferred Bryce for some reason. It drove a wedge between the brothers that remains to this day.”

  Her words startled Katelyn. “Didn’t Nicholas go to war with his father and the other men of Northmere?”

  “He did,” Catherine confirmed. “From all accounts, both what I heard from our Ravenwood men and Favian, Nicholas distinguished himself daily on the battlefield. He is a superb soldier.”

  “And yet his father never appreciated him.”

  “Lord Cedric was . . . a difficult man,” Catherine shared. “In many ways. I believe Nicholas will be a better earl for the people of Northmere and an even stronger leader in Northumberland. He will command respect.”

  Katelyn only wished she could tell Catherine just how difficult Cedric Mandeville had been behind closed doors. Katelyn had offered numerous prayers of thanksgiving to the Virgin for the earl’s timely death. If she’d had to submit to him on a nightly basis, her life would have become a nightmare, far worse than anything she’d suffered at the convent. By his words and actions, she believed her new husband to be nothing like his father and hoped that when they finally coupled, he would be considerate.

  The two women chatted amiably throughout the entire meal and decided to continue their conversation upstairs. Nicholas offered to escort them to the solar but Katelyn waved him away. After hours of talk and a few cups of wine, Katelyn knew more about Northmere than she’d dreamed possible and found she enjoyed Catherine Savill’s company quite a bit.

  Dorinda knocked and entered the solar. “May I help you undress for bed, my lady?”

  “Oh, it’s grown late,” Catherine said. “I should go to my bedchamber.”

  “Must you, Catherine?” Katelyn asked. They had quickly begun using their Christian names in a show of friendship. “I am . . . reluctant to sleep alone . . . in there.” The thought of climbing into the bed where Lord Cedric had died bothered her more than she would have thought.

  “Would you like me to stay?” Catherine asked.

  “Aye.”

  When Catherine nodded in agreement, Katelyn asked Dorinda to bring Lady Catherine’s things to the solar. The servant helped both women undress and even in bed, they talked until Katelyn found herself growing hoarse.

  “You need your rest, Catherine. Go to sleep,” she ordered.

  It comforted her when, as they lay there, Catherine reached out and took her hand. Katelyn fell asleep, happy she had made a new friend.

  Her first ever.

  *

  Nicholas wanted to head to the training yard. Instead, he went to the records room where Lewis, his bailiff, awaited him. Numbers had never been Nicholas’ strong suit and he dreaded the encounter. He’d spent several hours with the Ravenwood bailiff yesterday after he’d escorted Catherine home from Northmere directly after the f
uneral mass. With Lord Terald and Favian now gone, Nicholas believed he should take a more active role in helping manage the affairs of Ravenwood. Once Catherine’s babe came, the status would change. For now, Nicholas wanted to do as much as he could to help keep his neighbor’s estate thriving. He owed that much to Favian and Lord Terald.

  Still, he wondered how much time he would be able to devote to Ravenwood now that he was earl of the largest estate in Northumberland. His life had turned upside down the moment he learned of his father’s death and his marriage to Lady Katelyn.

  He smiled as he thought of her. She had certainly charmed Catherine, who’d sung Katelyn’s praises the entire way back to Ravenwood. Already, the two women seemed fast friends. He supposed it was good for them both. Catherine had been lonely at Ravenwood, with no female companionship, and even lonelier since Favian’s untimely death. Katelyn, he suspected, had never had a friend. Nicholas thought Catherine would be a good influence on his new wife.

  Wondering how she fared at the manor house, he decided he would ride out after his meeting with Lewis and check on her. He had mentioned visiting her daily, though Katelyn knew nothing about that. Nicholas would use the visit to her as an excuse if things proved too excruciating with Lewis and he wished to cut their meeting short.

  The bailiff greeted him warmly. “It will be a pleasure to work with you, my lord. You remind me of your beloved mother so much. She took an active role in studying my ledgers and offering advice. I am sure you will manage the estate superbly.”

  Nicholas laughed. “Only with your heavy involvement, Lewis. I have much to learn about the management of Northmere. I’ve trained to be a soldier my entire life and that is all I know. Mayhap, you should start slowly. Save the numbers for later. Simply tell me about my estate.”

  With that, Lewis led him through what activities occurred throughout the year and why those tasks happened when they did. The various plantings and harvests he understood because of their relationship to the weather and different seasons, but Nicholas became more interested when talk turned to livestock. Lewis also discussed various jobs held by men and women across Northmere. It surprised him how many people lived and worked here beyond the tenants, soldiers, and servants. The estate had carpenters. Blacksmiths. Ditchers. A cordwainer. And that didn’t include the men he was familiar with who worked on behalf of Northmere’s soldiers, such as the atilliator and armorer. He pledged to himself to get to know everyone on his property, no matter how long it took.